I LOVE the PBR. Professional Bull Riders. Professional Bull Awesomeness. I mean really...there just isn't anything better that those cowboys ridin' bulls in their chaps, buckles, and tight pants. (Mmmm, I Heart You Justin McBride) It is the most exciting 8 seconds as they hang on for their dear life.And even though I am a cowgirl at heart but really a suburbanite, I have never sat my little tush on a massive beast (bull that is...goodness...get your head out of the gutter). Instead, I am a PMBRTA (Professional Mechanical Bull Rider That's Awesome). Obviously you can take out the "Professional" part, but if there was such a thing, I probably would have qualified. (Key word: WOULD).Being a PMBRTA is a part of my past. Each Wednesday, me and my other cowgirlfriends, would head on over to the popular country bar in town, The Stampede. Now, for those that are familiar with this bar you know all of this already, but for those that don't: it is by far the most random assortment of people you will ever see in one building. It is a country bar, so you of course get your swing-dancin-cowboy-hat-wearin-yee-hawin folks. But it is also ladies drink free, they play rap in between two-steppin jams, AND it is in good ol A-Town. So you get just about every other social clique around. Seriously, the Best place for People Watching.Along with 5 bars and a ring dance floor, the "Pede" has a mechanical bull. MY mechanical bull. And I made it a point to ride each week and beat my previous record. And so, on a particular Wednesday night I got on that bull, tightened my grip, threw up my right hand and gave the nod to begin.

Side Note: On a mechanical bull there is a dial from 0-100 for the speed.

On this infamous night...I not only beat THE record for girls (which was of course mine), but I got to 92. Yee Haw! However, I later came to my self in a chair on the side with the manager of the bar, manager of the bull, my closest cowgirlfriend, and not a clue how the heck I got there and off My mechanical bull. So Yes you guessed right.... I was knocked off the bull and knocked out unconscious.I can of course laugh about it now since no permanent damage was done (as I signed my life away in that waiver). But it was shocking at first to look into the mirror and see that only half of my face would smile.

My best cowgirlfriend yelled, "get the girl away from the mirror"as I teared up and whined, "My smile is Broken!" Luckily it was just a few days that I couldn't even open my mouth for a spoon.

So why do I share all of this? Well one, it is probably a part of my life that will never fully come back now that I am a Mother. I will never become a PMBRTA, just a Mechanical Bull Rider That Was Awesome And Got Knocked Out (and knocked up).

And two, my very first dream during my pregnancy where I was actually pregnant in the dream....I was riding a mechanical bull....Naturally. And so:

Dear Mechanical Bull,

You and I have had some great times. You kept me coming to your place each week and challenged me all the time. But unfortunately, you have hurt me and I don't know if I can ever get over that. I tried once to come back and rekindled our relationship, but it just wasn't the same. I was afraid of getting hurt again. When I think of you, my heart begins to race and I just don't know if I can ever get over it. Like I said, we have had some good times. But I don't even think we can be friends after this. I think it is time for both of us to move on. I wish you the best.

I remember it so clearly. The first absolute stranger that touched my pregnant belly. Here I was at 16 weeks and showing very early. I was feeling the burst of 2nd tri energy and in Vail for a conference. I even remembering at one of the cocktail hours, (sipping my water) just absolutely loving the smell of whiskey....seriously, apparently the hormones turn me into Toby Keith's little Whiskey Girl.

Back to the belly touching...

I have never quite understood why a complete stranger would ask to touch someone's belly. Would I ever ask to touch your tattoo, scar, love handles, or double chin?? I don't think so!! And so here I was, talking to one of my favorite IT vendors, when her co worker, asks..."Can I Touch your Belly?"

Of course in my mind he had a James Earl Jones kind of voice that echoed as if he was announcing to be my Father or Mufasa high in the clouds. His leaned across the table with his Ginormous hands that could palm a basketball like it was a child's toy...actually moved my name badge out of the way... and rubbed my belly. Rubbed it. Hello, does my name badge that you just moved out of the way say Buddha? Negative Ghost Rider. I very quickly excused myself...and called it a night.

Ok, so this is not baby, mom, or marriage related...but I just heard from my good friend S, that Jake is going to be the next Bachelor. You might ask, why is this important? Well, its because I have watched every single season of the Bachelor/Bachelorette, even back to the first season of Trista's rejection. And yes, I know that each season gets more and more ridiculous, but I just can't stop. It is like when I watched the first two seasons of Rock of Love. It just ain't Nothin But A Good Time.

Oh yeah....and how great was Jes?!? Loved her.

But back to Jake....Nice guy. Yes, NICE. But goodness he drives me crazy. He definitely caught my eye the first couple of episodes (yay for the pilots), but time after time he kept talking about how prefect he was with his huge crooked smile. Not to mention, I feel like he should have been casted in Leave it to Beaver or Pleasentville. Instead of coming back to throw Wes under the bus, his script should have said:

"Golly Gee, Jillian...I think you are really swell." And then he would give her his class ring and varsity jacket.

If it were up to me (as it should have been), I would have casted my vote for Kipton. Oh...Kipton. Definitely would have enjoyed watching him for an entire season! (Don't you worry hubby...I actually think you look like him!)

So let's be honest, I will watch every episode of the Bach and Love it. Because just like Bret Michaels said, it just Ain't Nothin But A Good Time.

Each night we take Mr. T for a walk, I look over at all the tiny little football players out at practice. It is just about the cutest little thing ever. And even though I am loving every minute of Ty right now...I just can't wait to see him in huge pads, a nover-sized helmet, and running with a ball that is the size of his head. I just can't wait.

But as I watch the pros and even college players, I wonder why type of athletes will Mr. T will look up to and admire. With the players like Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress, PacMan Jones, and Michael Irving...it is hard to get excited about his future role models.

But then recently...for the second time in my life (Here is the First) ...I cried while watching ESPN College Game Day. Below is a video of the USC Trojans bonding. Truly bonding.

*Its a little long, so skip ahead to minute 2:30*

I of course will never understand what it feels like to be down on the field in the huddle. But as I watch this video I think how it is such a great character builder that I really want Ty to be a part of. And even though I am frustrated with some of the athletes like Plaxico & Vick, I know that there are others like Tim Tebow, Peyton Manning, Colt McCoy, Brian Urlacher, and Champ Bailey that are not only great football players, but are great in the community. I hope that if T does wish to play some day...he will experience all the great things about being a part of the team!!